I’ve watched our games since the break but I haven’t been massively enthused about the sport in general because of the empty grounds and the diluted feel of it all. But today, genuinely excited about the game. Knock out rugby, the fear of defeat, playing one of our rivals etc, it’s everything you could want from a game without actually being able to go.
It’s also a game that the sport needs right now. Two of the best sides, Saturday afternoon, knock out game, live on BBC1, loads of needle and history, it should get people watching. COYS
I think Cas and Rovers had done their homework on us and came with a gameplan to target our system but I do agree our performance level have dropped a bit.
We came back from the break playing the game a lot faster than the other teams but seem to have slowed down to their level now.
it was noticeable the tempo that Leeds played at in the first half last night they blew Rovers away.
Obviously this is the the job of the coach to get the team firing and the fact that we lost to Warrington earlier in the season means he won't take them lightly.
We're massively missing Makinson, not specifically as a winger but for the runs he does in the middle of the field, he makes a lot of yards for us.
I was hoping that Naiqama would make those runs instead while Makinson is missing but he is heavily strapped so possibly not up to it.
i think the game is too close to call just hope the desire for revenge for Wembley will give us the edge.
Last edited by Infamous Grouse; 19th September 2020 at 13:04.
We may miss Makinson but they've also lost Lineham.
I think it's going to be brutal, we can never forgive or forget the loss at Wembley last year. We owe these big time in the CC.
COYS
It’s almost impossible to play at the same level every week. Even more so now with the new rules and faster rucks. I’m not sure that we’ve dropped our performance level that much but more a case of doing enough against certain teams. I think last weeks performance smacked of having one eye on today’s game even though the players and coach won’t admit it. Today will be a big indicator of where we’re at and if we can raise the performance levels back up for this game.
I was hoping for a dream SF lineup of us, Hull, Hull KR and Salford, and thought it was definitely a strong possibility and only being too busy stopped me putting a bet on it.
But the piescum and jammy Leeds pulled out their a-games against teams that capitulated softly, whilst we bottled it.
Hate this game at times.
A poor defeat yesterday but i think we’ll have enough to beat them in the second leg...........this is two legs with it being a truncated season ?.
As much as I would love you to be right I really don't see it happening. With the semi final being three days later the majority of that team won't play v Saints, and those that do will be given limited game time. I just hope you don't get a roll on early in the game otherwise I fear a blow out score.
I would imagine 1 and 2 will play at home given that 1 and 2 are likely to be 2 from us, Wigan, Wire, Leeds or Catalans, which have all been venues used so far or will be imminently. I would also hope that by then there’ll be a couple of thousand at least in the grounds to give it a little bit of an advantage.
If you’re arguing that they should be at neutral venues given that the league table is now a reflection of loads of games played at neutral venues, fair enough, and it has some validity. If you’re Castleford (for example) you could argue that you didn’t get the fair shake of playing at home and therefore they shouldn’t be disadvantaged in the semi finals in favour of a team that played several home games, albeit with no fans.